Condensation drain valve



Jan. 10, 1950 c. c. FARMER 2,494,434-

CONDENSATION DRAIN VALVE Filed Nov. 16, 1943 Fig. 5

81 w I 7o 7* 57 7 g 80 j 74 [In rm 14 10 v K I I INVENTQR CLYDE c. FAEMER BY ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 10, 1950 UNITED OFFICE GONDENSATION DRAINVALVE Clyd C,-i *.e. mr it eh R .,a ,si o &0, Th W st n house A r Beaks. ompa m 'rd ns Pa a corporation-of Pennsylvania Arn iq ion le sm en 9A3 .Srrial- 9-;519 12 This. case relatesto steam driven compressor equipments, and particularly toa condensat'on drain valve. devicenoperative to discharge, water condensed in the stea supply pipe and steam cylinders of such a cOmpI'GSSOr.

In certain railroad properties, particularly thosesituated in northern or mountain terri-. tories, where trains. must be operated under freezing weatherconditions, the condensation of moisture in the steam pipe and steamcylinders of the comprfissor carriedon each locomotive has in thepast inspired the developmentofvarious means for drainingsuch moisture from thesys: tern. The drain valve devices heretofore pro; posed have not demonstratedthe necessarydee, gree of reliability, howeveneitherbecause of poor design and construction, or by'reasonofa general unfitness for association with,a,steam;dri I compressor operated under. the severe condit ons encountered in railroad service.

It is the principal object of my inventionto rovide an improved automaticn leans for dra'n-. ing any moisture or. condensate irom the s tea m pipe, steam cylinders, or the other parts, ofa steam driven air-compressor equipment,

Other objects and advantages ofthe invention will appear in the following more detailed de; scription, thereof, taken. in. connection withv the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic View .of .a steam driven compressor equipmentfor a locomotive having associated therewith a condensationidrainvalve device constructed in accordancewith oneiorm of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, partly in sec-.

tion, of the governor. device forming part ofithe equi t h w i F e. and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a condensation drain valve device embodying another form of themvention.

Th apparatus shown in Fig. 1 includes a stearrr driven compressor 5 which is operative to supply compressed air to a main reservoir 6. through a suitable pipe (not shown), a compressor governor device 7 for controlling the supply of steam to the compressor, and a condensation drain valve device 8.. The compressor governor device 1 is con-. structed and arranged to control the supply .of steam by way of a steam pipe 10 to the steam cylinders 5a and-5b of the compressor@ in 3C1. N cordance with the pressure niaintained in the main reservoir 6, which isconnected with. the. fluid pressure-responsive portionof-the governor dev h ouehth medium o amin H.-

The compressor governor l may be of any.

2 u ta l des n. and. is l e in f s-. 2 ma emer se acaf ine interposed at e tems. ply'pipe l!) andcontaining a s uitablesteam va e. (notlshown), which is operated by. a pisto n t5 0.

, cutfofi thefflow of steam through the, pipe T-hepiston |,5 is s bjeet tothepressure. of air that can ue l d to a rma V t hamb ll by op ra f a. v lv leme con ainedip. a al e ch mb [wh t c mm niq w t the pipe I i leading to, the. main reservoir. .Thevalve. e entlt i ad t t be n:t if t fl by l ar. lateau-24. wh i rp ci e w e t w r chamber lean d a coil spring}; carried in a 05 1 ppessortopZS. It will be understoodthatso. long; asthe p e in themah res rvoi pipe. a d (aw -chambe .9. 0f es v m r dtt a es el w. a p ed erm ed ax m m a the. SM z jlwil -msintain the valve 19 t eat wh le the piston l,5,will be held in its uppermost position, as shown in Big. 2 toi-permit -tlo w of steam h fiqugh the pipe lflrto thelcompressor. Wh :.-t1 ,e p ss re ne. i es rves xceeds.- the r d term ne ax mum v lu how v p t es ndin P sur -ac in n. ee diaphragm- 2l-. becomes efiective to lift the diae. el a m u wa l he e mi t n n se l of thevalve element [8 by a spring 24 associated" therewith, so that compressed airEcan be supplied tothe piston chamber; 1 Tier operating the piston l5 to closethe steam valve.

According to the invention,- the condensation drainvalve device 8 comprises a casing structure 26. having: formed thereina condensate drainage. chamber I3 8, .which communicates, with a drain: a e-o nin a d wit a a o a v rs;, 0.

" an The; valve bore @Uis connected by wa e r mh-P e 6.2 t m t am m l i e 0i f sslidab rnmounted th ein h treas re d v ar e alve e men 3.3. whi s pt d d en a a s te o senro n e. a mi s tbi co densat rem. t Pines? andsb r sfl "we qr ieaeeehemhsr 2. T e; he 'r lveild re mm n ates by Way of a rans e ilwi hf therrsnecfivesteam cy nd an fih qfi iie teemflfivm-eirgmp ess, M9 tie e. relic are th s. he flu e S em.- 0t aei sflnree mentiaiwhis is nsesea l w a set s llin ommunica ion ir m the-here the beam 48 adjacent the discharge valve element 33. It should be understood, however, that the pressure of air normally present in the diaphragm chamber 44, which communicates by way of the restricted pas-sage 46 and pipe 45 with the main reservoir as already explained, is efiective through the medium of the diaphragm 43, follower member 4'! and beam 48 to hold the valve elements 39 and 33 in their seated positions, as shown in Fig. 1.

The casing structure 26 further includes a pilot valve portion 2611, within which is mounted a flexible diaphragm 55, that is subject on its lower side to the pressure of air in a diaphragm chamber 56 communicating by way of a pipe 57 with the piston chamber 11 of the compressor governor device I, as may be seen by reference to Fig. 2. At the upper side of the diaphragm 55, in the casing portion 26a, is formed a chamber 59 communicating with the atmosphere by way of a port 60, and also connected past a valve seat 6| with a valve chamber 62, which in turn communicates by way of a port 63 with the diaphragm chamber 44. Mounted in the valve chamber 62 is a valve element 65, which is normally held in seated position by the force exerted by a coil spring 66, and which has a fluted stem 6'! disposed in engagement with the diaphragm 55. The diaphragm 55 is thus arranged to unseat the valve element 65 upon an increase in the pressure of fluid in the chamber 56. In operation, the two discharge valve elements 39 and 33 are normally held in their seated positions, as shown, by the pressure of air supplied to the diaphragm chamber 44 from the main reservoir 6, while the valve element 65 is held on the seat 6| by the spring 66 so long as the diaphragm chamber 56 is connected to atmosphere through the pipe 51, the chamber l! of the governor device "I as shown in Fig. 2, and a suitable atmospheric port provided in that device but not shown in the drawing. Moisture condensed from the steam in the supply pipe in is free to flow therefrom through pipe 32 to the valve bore 35 in the drain valve device 8, and at the same time moisture accumulating in the steam piston chambers a and 5b of the compressor 5 is conducted therefrom through the pipe 3'! to the other valve bore, 31, in the drain valve device.

I It will be understood that operation of the governor device 1 to control the flow of steam throughthe pipe in is dependent upon variations in the pressure of air in the main reservoir 6, and may consequently not be repeated at regular intervals, but under usual service conditions it is to be expected that the governor device will operate frequently enough to cause the drain valve device 8 to function to expel condensate in chamber 28 in an efiicient manner. Upon each increase in main reservoir pressure to the maximum value for which the governor device 1 is set, the valve element 3 thereof is unseated to supply compressed air from the pipe H to the piston chamber ll, thereby actuating the piston [5 to close the steam valve controlling flow of steam through the pipe to the compressor.

4 Air under pressure is at the same time supplied from the piston chamber I! through the pipe 51 to the diaphragm chamber 56 of the drain valve device 8 for moving upwardly the diaphragm 55 and valve element 65. When the valve element 65 is unseated, air under pressure is discharged from the diaphragm chamber 44 by way of the passage 63, valve chamber 62, diaphragm chamber 59 and port 60 at a rate faster than that at which air can be supplied to the diaphragm chamber 44 by way of the restricted passage 46,

. so that the pressure acting on the diaphragm 43 is substantially reduced.

When this occurs, the springs 52 and 53 are rendered effective to move the beam 48, follower member 41 and the diaphragm 53 downwardly for permitting the discharge valve elements 39 and 33 to assume their respective unseated positions. Since the spring 52 is stronger than the spring 53, the beam 48 will normally be some- What tilted during this operation to permit unseating of the valve element 38 before the valve element 33 is unseated, thereby allowing time for the steam pressure in the supply pipe to drive all condensate from the compressor cylinders to the drain valve device. Accumulated condensate is then drained from the respective bores 3| and 30 into the chamber 28, from which the condensate is discharged by way of the port 29.

When the pressure of air in the main reservoir subsequently drops below the predetermined minimum value for which the governor device I is set, the spring 22 of the governor device, shown in Fig. 2, again moves the valve element l 8 to its seated position, thus cutting on further supply of air to the piston chamber H, which is meanwhile vented to the atmosphere through the usual discharge port, not shown. At the same time compressed air is vented through the same communications from the diaphragm chamber 55 of the drain valve device 8, until the spring 66 once more becomes effective to seat the valve element 65. With the valve element 65 in seated position, main reservoir air again accumulates in the diaphragm chamber 44 by flow through the pipe 45 and restricted passage 46. The increasing pressure of air finally forces upwardly the diaphragm 43, follower member 41 and beam 48 to seat, in sequence, the discharge valve element 33 and the discharge valve element 39. The valve element 39 is thus held open long enough to insure discharge of the condensate supplied through both branches of pipe 31. The drainage communications from the steam supply pipe 10 and the steam cylinders of the compressor 5 are thus again closed, pending a further operation of the governor device I, as hereinbefore explained.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawing, the condensation drain valve device therein disclosed is designed for operation on the same principle as that in the case of the device 8 shown in Fig. 1, although the structural features embodying the invention are of a different form. The condensation drain valve device shown in Fig. 3 comprises a casing structure 76 having mounted therein a flexible diaphragm H, which is interposed between a pressure chamber 72 connected by way of the pipe 45 with the main reservoir, and a drainage chamber 73 communicating with a discharge or drainage port 14. Formed in the casing structure 70 is a valve bore 16, connected to the pipe 32 leading to the steam supply pipe, and a valve bore H, which is connected to the pipe 31 leading from the steam cylinders of the areseer.

providedior controlling. communication from the .valvebore lfiztosthepchamber '13., and. a similar discharge valve-=element .8] .is mounted in the casing structure ;for -:controlling,: communicationirom thee'othervalve bore 'll ito the chamber 13, both .valves being normally held in their respective seatedpositions by the pressure of air in the diaphragm chamber l2. acting through. the medium of the; diaphragm H, a follower element 85, anda beam B-Srockably mounted on the follower element. 7

It will be noted that the-beam 86 is'mounted eccentrically with respect .to. the follower member85, andissubjectzto'the force exerted by a coil spring 96 which urges the beam downwardly, or in opposition to the air pressure acting on the diaphragm Til. The'coil spring 90 engages the beam il somewhat toloneflside of the point at which thatzmember is fulcrumed on the follower member'llfi, so thatthe force of the spring is distributed unequally to therespective valve elements Bi and 88. With theqgreater portion of the forceexertedby the spring .90 transmitted to the-end of the beam 86. engaging the valve element iii, the valve element 83. is thus adapted to remain in seated position longer than the other valve element .81 upon downward movement of theassemblage and likewise to assume itsv seated position-prior to the seating of the valve element's! when the-associated elements are moved upwardly,-as viewed in the drawing.

In operation, air at thepressure maintained in the main reservoir is supplied through the pipe 5i to thediaphragm chamber l2 for normally maintaining the diaphragm ll follower element beam 8% and discharge valve elements SI and 8B inthe positions in which they are illustrated .in Fig. .3. .At such time water condensed fromthesteambeing supplied to the associated compressor is supplied through the Pipe 32 to the valve bore 16, and through the pipe 3? to theother valvebore. Tl. When the pressure of air in the. main.reservoir.falls below apredetermined value .as determined by the force exerted by the coilspring 90 in the condensation drain valve device, the spring is enabled to force .downwardly'the beam 86, follower member S'Sand diaphragm H forunseating, insequence, first. the discharge valve element 3i and then the discharge valve element 80. When the-discharge valve elements are unseated, condensed moisture is 'free to flow out by way of the chamber 13. anddrainage portil l. .A subsequentincrease in .mainreservoir pressure, and in the..correspondingpressureof air in the diaphragm chamber 12,.is .efiective to return the various elements to the position shown in Fig. 3.ior cutting off further drainage of condensate. It will be apparent that the device shown in Fig. 3 is designed for association with a compressor equipment operative to restore main reservoir pressure to the predetermined maximum value ina short time following a temporary reduction, such as thatiustdescribed, so that the discharge valve elements-8.1 .and fill. will be unseated for shortintervals only.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a condensation drain valve device constructed in accordance with my invention may readily be installed in an'existing steam driven compressor equipment fonautomatically reducing the accumulation of-condensate to-a minimum. The automatic :operation of the drain Valve deviceis achieved without .the addition of expensive. 1 operating devices; to the, apparatus;

and may be embodied :in; a,-.-.simple,; sturdy .struc tural unit adapted-to withstand the severe operating conditions encountered in railway service,

Having now described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A drain valve device. comprising a casing; structure having a plurality of portions-for accumulating condensate, a condensate drainage chamber and a pressure chamber, a movable:

abutment interposed. between said chambers, a plurality of discharge valve elements controlled by said abutment for individually controlling flow of condensate from said portions to said. condensate drainagechamber, and spring means constructed and. arranged to acton said abutment inopposition to thepressure of fluid in said pressure chamber :for effecting sequential.

operation of said valve; elements.

:2. A liquid drain valve. device comprising .a,

casing having a plurality of portions, for accumulating liquid, a liquid drainage chamber and a pressure chamber, an .individual discharge valve element for each portion for controlling the how of accumulated liquid therefrom to said. liquid drainage chamber,

pressure chamber for actuating said discharge; valve elements, fluid pressure operated valve means for controlling the-pressurein said pressure chamber, and spring means exerting. unequally divided pressure. on said diaphragm :in. opposition to thepressure: in said pressure chamber for effecting sequential operation of said valve elements.

3. The combination with;a.steam driven air compressor system, a steam. t'driven, air compressor, a steam pipe for supplying steam togsaid.

compressor, and .a reservoir for receiving air supplied by-the compressor, of .a governor device. responsive to variations in :the pressure of air ain said reservoirffor controlling theflow off steam through said steam pipe, a drain valve devicev comprising .a casing having a. condensate. dis,- charge chamber andia pressure chamber, a. discharge valve element controlling communicationbetween saidicompressor and'said discharge chamber, a discharge valve element controlling communication between said steam pipe and said discharge chamber, movable abutment means: responsive to variations in the pressure of air in said pressure chamber for actuating said abutment means, valvemeansicontrolled in QIG:- cordance with the operation of saidgovernor; device for varying the pressure of air acting on said movable abutment means, and spring means exerting a pressure'on said diaphragm in opposition to the pressure of air in said pressure chamber, said spring means being unbalanced with respect to the valve elements to effect the operation of the'firstnamed valve element before the second named'valve'element.

4. The combination with a steam driven air compressor system comprising a steam driven compressor having a steam pipe for supplying steam to the compressonand a reservoir for receiving fluid under pressure supplied by the compressor, of a governor device responsive to variations in thepressure of.-.fluidiin said reservoir for controlling the flow of steam through said steam pipe,..and..a..drain valve device com,-

movable, abutmentv means interposed between said chambers and; responsive-to variations inthepressure in said.

prising a casing having a chamber in open communication with said reservoir and therefore charged with fluid under pressure therefrom, and valve means comprising a valve operative to an open position upon a reduction in the pressure of fluid in said chamber to effect discharge of condensate from a plurality of selected points in said compressor system and operative to a closed position upon a subsequent increase in the pressure of fluid in said chamber, and valve means responsive to operation of said governor device for controlling the pressure of fluid in said chamber.

5. The combination with a steam driven compressor system comprising a steam driven compressor, and a reservoir charged with fluid under pressure supplied by said compressor, of a compressor governor device responsive to variations in pressure of fluid in said reservoir for controlling the supply of steam to said compressor, a condensation drain valve device comprising a casing having a plurality of chambers for receiving condensate accumulating at selected points in said compressor system, a plurality of discharge valve elements in said drain valve device operative to discharge condensate from said chambers, movable abutment means subject to the pressure of fluid in said reservoir and operable for actuating said discharge valve elements upon a reduction in the pressure of fluid acting on said abutment, and other valve means controlled in accordance with the operation of said governor device for varying the pressure of fluid acting on said movable abutment means, whereby said drain valve device is rendered operative to discharge condensate in response to operation of said governor device.

6. The combination with a steam driven compressor system comprising a steam driven compressor, and a reservoir charged with fluid under pressure supplied by said compressor, a compressor governor device, of a condensation drain valve apparatus comprising a casing having a pressure chamber and having discharge Valve means operative to discharge condensate accumulating in said compressor system, movable abutment means subject to the pressure of fluid in said pressure chamber, a restricted communication for supplying fluid at a restricted rate from said reservoir to said pressure chamber, valve means operative to discharge fluid under pressure from said pressure chamber at a rate faster than that of the supply through said restricted communication, and a movable abutment subject to variations in the pressure of fluid in said governor device for controlling said valve means.

'7. A liquid drain valve device comprising a casing having a plurality of portions for accumulating liquid, a liquid drainage chamber and a pressure chamber, an individual discharge valve element for each portion for controlling the flow of liquid therefrom to said liquid drainage chamber, movable abutment means interposed between said chambers and responsive to variations in pressure in said pressure chamber for actuating the discharge valve elements, means for varying the pressure of fluid in said pressure chamber, and pressure means exerting an unequally divided pressure on said movable abutment means in opposition to the pressure in said pressure chamber for effecting sequential operation of said valve elements.

8. A drain valve device comprising a casing structure having a plurality of liquid collecting portions supplied with fluid under pressure from a common source, a liquid drainage chamber and a pressure chamber, an individual discharge valve element mounted in each portion and subject respectively to the fluid pressure in one of said portions, each of said elements having a closed position and both being actuable in the same direction for establishing communication between said portions and said drainage chamber, fluid pressure responsive means comprising a movable abutment interposed between said pressure chamber and said liquid drainage chamber, lever means rockably mounted on said fluid pressure responsive means operable thereby to actuate said elements to their closed positions, said lever means comprising a plurality of arms, one for each valve element, and engaging said valve elements at points equi-distant from the point of said rockable mounting, and an individual spring operably engaging each of said arms at points equi-distant from the point of said rockable mounting, the springs exerting different pressures in opposition to the pressure in said pressure chamber for effecting sequential operation of said valve elements.

9. A drain valve device comprising a casing structure having a plurality of liquid collecting portions supplied with fluid under pressure from a common source, a liquid drainage chamber and a pressure chamber, an individual discharge valve element mounted in each portion and subject to the fluid pressure in the respective portion, each of said elements having a closed position and all being actuable in the same direction for establishing communication between said portions and said drainage chamber, fluid pressure responsive means comprising a movable abutment interposed between said pressure chamber and said 40 drainage chamber, and lever means rockably mounted on said fluid pressure responsive means for actuating said elements to their closed positions, said lever means comprising a plurality of arms, one for each valve element, and engaging 5 said valve elements at various distances from said rockable mounting for efiecting sequential operation of said valve elements.

10. The combination with a steam driven compressor system comprising a steam driven compressor, a reservoir charged with fluid under pressure supplied by said compressor, and a compressor governor device, of a condensation drain valve device comprising a casing structure having a plurality of liquid collecting portions supplied with fluid under pressure from said system,

a liquid drainage chamber and a pressure chamber, an individual discharge valve element mounted in each portion and subject to the fluid pressure in the respective portion, each of said .0 elements having a closed position and all being actuable in the same direction for establishing communication between said portions and said drainage chamber, fluid pressure responsive means comprising a movable abutment inter- 55 posed between said pressure chamber and said drainage chamber, and lever means rockably mounted on said fluid pressure responsive means for actuating said elements to their closed positions, said lever means comprising a plurality of m arms, one for each valve element, and engaging said elements at various distances from said rockable mounting for efiecting sequential operation of said valve elements.

CLYDE C. FARMER.

(References on following page) 9 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Hogan July 24, 1900 Lombard Mar. 15, 1904 Drago Oct. 14, 1913 Everhart Sept. 1, 1925 Allen Mar. 15, 1927 Number Number 10 471,742 558,796

Name Date Allen Nov. 6, 1928 Burdett May 17, 1932 Hewitt Aug. 23, 1938 Eaton Dec. 27, 1938 Canetta. Oct. 24, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France July 18, 1914 Great Britain Jan. 21, 1944 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,494,434 January 10, 1950 CLYDE C. FARMER It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 6, line 17, after the word "sai insert movable; line '35, for diaphragm read movable abutment means; column 8, line 2, after portions insert the comma and words each being; line 3, for a common source read its source of liquid supply;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of June, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gommiasianer of Patents. 

